The late Queen’s former communications adviser has said the current speculation about the Princess of Wales is unlikely to subside until she is back in the public eye.

Speak with Radio 4’s Today programSimon Lewis, who became Queen Elizabeth’s first press secretary in 1998, said “visibility” is especially important when it comes to members of the royal family.

Lewis, who also worked as Gordon Brown’s official spokesman and now hosts the podcast ‘When it hits the fan’ with David Yelland, said his ‘hunch’ was that once Kate reappears in public life, ‘a lot of this will disappear’. away because the remarkable thing about the monarchy is the importance of this visibility.’

The former pressman added that no communications officer could deal with the current amount of online speculation about the Princess of Wales, including the flood of TikTok conspiracy theories.

He said the explosive claims that a staff member may have tried to access the princess’s medical records at the London Clinic, where she underwent abdominal surgery in January, is exactly why Kensington Palace was so keen to protect the royal family.

The princess was admitted to hospital on January 16 for abdominal surgery.

Details about Kate’s condition have not been released, but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that the princess wished her personal medical information to remain private.

Speaking about the possible attempt to access the royal family’s medical records, Lewis said: “We don’t know if it’s factually correct, but for me the more important point is that this is exactly why I thought the princess and the people around were like that around her. concerned about her privacy.

‘Going to hospital at the best of times is a very stressful experience, but to think there is the possibility of people actually gaining access to your data while you are there.’

He added: ‘No wonder this debate continues about members of the royal family and public figures because that is the key point – there is a line as far as I’m concerned where privacy should be absolutely sacrosanct.’

The late monarch’s former adviser said Kensington Palace’s statement in January was “factually accurate – they said the princess would not be in the public eye until Easter.”

He outlined that while King Charles had a responsibility as sovereign to be more transparent on health issues, the Princess of Wales ‘has different demands’.

Lewis added that he expected Kate Middleton to cautiously return to the public eye in the coming weeks.

He said: ‘Kensington Palace is now considering a way to slowly reintroduce the Princess to public life.

‘There will be appointments, there will be opportunities for her to be seen.

“If she can slowly return to public life in the way that seems planned, I suspect a very different change in public attitudes. [There has been] Huge support for her among the British people.’

This afternoon, bosses at the prestigious hospital announced they have launched an urgent investigation into claims that Kate’s medical records had been accessed.

London Clinic CEO Al Russell finally broke his silence this afternoon, saying in a statement: ‘Everyone at the London Clinic is acutely aware of our individual, professional, ethical and legal duties regarding patient confidentiality. ‘

‘We are extremely proud of the excellent care and discretion we want to provide to all our patients who put their trust in us every day.

‘We have systems in place to monitor the management of patient information and in the event of a breach, all appropriate investigative, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken.

“There is no place in our hospital for those who deliberately betray the trust of our patients or colleagues.”

The princess is said to be aware of the allegations, with a Kensington Palace spokesperson saying: ‘This is a matter for the London Clinic.’

While it may be becoming increasingly controversial among some people, the tradition of Miss World – at least for now – lives on.

The competition, which was founded in the UK in 1951 by Eric Morley, was originally part of the Festival of Britain celebrations, and was known by the name the Festival Bikini Contest.

In fact, the original purpose of the event was to promote the bikini, a fairly new addition to the fashion market – and it was reportedly the press which dubbed the competition, which at that time was considered by many to be rather immodest, ‘Miss World’.

Eventually, to counteract this, in 1980, the pageant introduced a new slogan: Beauty With a Purpose. Contestants were given the additional challenges of intelligence and personality tests. But this was not enough for the BBC to keep broadcasting the event, ditching it in 1984, after which it was moved to various channels including ITV, Thames Television, Sky One, and Channel 5.

Dropping the show, BBC1 controller Michael Grade said: ‘I believe these contests no longer merit national air time. They are an anachronism in this day and age of equality and verging on the offensive.’

Here, FEMAIL looks at what happened to some of the contestants after they were crowned in the controversial event.

Kaiane Aldorino 

Crowned in December 2009, Kaiane made history with her victory as the first ever Miss Gibraltar to be crowned Miss World.

She was the first Gibraltarian woman not only to win a major pageant, but to ever reach the semi-finals of a major one.

And the pageant winner, who was born in 1986, arguably refutes Michael Grade’s opinion that these contestants are an ‘anachronism’ which fail to ‘merit air time’.

After all, she had impressive achievements under her belt: Kaiane is a Gibraltarian politician – between 2017 and 2019, she held the ceremonial position of mayor.

Preceded by a stint as Deputy Mayor, which began in 2014, she became mayor of the territory in 2017. 

On top of this, in 2018, Kaiane took part in a twinning ceremony between Gibraltar and Jamaica. She was part of a delegation that travelled to Jamaica in 2019 to consolidate the agreement.

She has also carried out philanthropic gestures, donating $10,000 received from the Miss World Organization to the Rainbow Ward at St Bernard’s Hospital and St Martin’s School in 2018.

Kaiane, the first woman to receive the Freedom of the City in Gibraltar, visited more than 40 countries during her reign.

Linor Abargil

Israeli Linor Abargil, who was born in 1980, won Miss World in 1998. Her victory came after she had signed with Look modeling agency in 1996. 

It also followed Linor being raped at knifepoint in 1998 while in Milan, an event which would inspire her to become a global advocate fighting against sexual violence. 

Despite the violence of the attack, and despite arresting the rapist, Italian authorities declined to prosecute and released the attacker.

The trauma of the attack made it difficult for Linor to deal with her public duties and fame after winning the Miss World title.

After frustration at the Italian authorities’ refusal to prosecute, Linor then reported the attack to Israeli authorities.

They were more proactive, issuing an arrest warrant for the rapist, and beginning extradition proceedings.

After her Miss World win, Linor continued modelling and did some acting. 

Eventually, however, she  decided to give up modelling and instead enrolled in law school, planning to use her education to fight sexual violence.

In 2008, Linor became the subject of a documentary she initiated about her rape and subsequent activism, titled Brave Miss World. 

Premiering on Israeli television in 2013 and screening at multiple film festivals in the United States and Europe throughout 2013 and 2014, the film was praised and nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Documentary Film.

Now a mother-of-four, Linor was admitted to the Israeli Bar in 2019.

Mary Stävin

Swede Mary Stävin, who was born in Örebro County in 1957 was crowned Miss World in 1977. 

After winning the pageant, she appeared in some of the most prolific films of all the winners.

She started her acting career seriously in the early 80s, with roles in two music videos Ant Rap and Strip – both for Adam Ant.

Mary also enjoyed appearances in two James Bond films: Octopussy, where she played an Octopussy girl, and A View to a Kill, playing agent Kimberley Jones, a larger role among other films. She also appeared in TV show Twin Peaks.

Famously, Bond Roger Moore wrote of the model and actress ‘floating away on board a submarine with Mary Stavin must be many men’s dream’. 

The win also meant she enjoyed a prolific dating life, seeing footballer Don Shanks from 1978 to 1982, and George Best from 1982 to 1985. The two worked together on an exercise album titled Shape Up and Dance.

Mary now lives in California with her second husband businessman Nicholas Wilcockson, who she wed in 1995, and the couple’s daughter.

Ibiagbanidokibubo Asenite ‘Agbani’ Darego

Nigerian Ibiagbanidokibubo Asenite ‘Agbani’ Darego was the first black African woman in the competition’s history to be crowned Miss World.

The model and beauty queen, who was born in 1982, was named winner of the competition in 2001 (she won Miss Universe that same year).

While she had some modelling experience before winning the competitions, after picking up the tandem crowns for Miss World and Miss Universe in 2001, her career skyrocketed.

Supermodel  Naomi Campbell invited her to take part in charity fashion Frock ‘n’ Roll in Barcelona, and she negotiated a modelling contract with American agency Trump Model Management.

Following her reign as Miss World, the London and Paris branches of Next Model Management represented her, winning her a three-year contract with L’Oréal (making her the second black model to do so).

The list of major brands Agbani has modelled for include Christian Dior and Sephora among many others.

Denise Perrier

Denise Perrier, who was born in 1935, is the only French Miss World winner. The former French actress, model and beauty queen picked up the crown in 1953.

Both before and after the victory, she has enjoyed some impressive achievements. 

When she was 18 years old, Denise was invited to compete in the Miss Saint-Raphaël beauty pageant contest – which she won.

The victory led to her participation (and victory) in Miss France, then in 1953 she was crowned Miss World.

Following the victory, Denise appeared in a number of films, most memorably, 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever.

She had a total career change after giving up modelling, moving to local government, working for the Mayor of Nice Jacques Médecin.

Denise has judged a number of Miss World competitions, in 2005, 2010, 2011 and 2013.

Rosemarie Frankland

Born in Wales in 1943, before moving to England as a child, Rosemarie enjoyed visiting a number of countries and throughout her lifetime (she died in 2000).

Rosemarie won the Miss World crown in 1961 (after previously finishing as a runner-up in the Miss Universe 1961 competition). 

Taking part in a lot of pageants, Rosemarie first won Miss Wales, before becoming Miss London in 1961.

She was crowned Miss Wales by Bob Hope who described her as ‘the most beautiful girl he had ever seen’.

She is said to have had an affair with Hope lasting many years, before becoming his personal assistant.

Meanwhile, professionally, she enjoyed a short acting career including a role in the 1965 film, I’ll Take Sweden starring Bob Hope.

Rosemarie married Grass Roots singer/guitarist Warren Entner in 1970, with the couple having a daughter together in 1976, before divorcing in 1981.

Ann Sidney

Born in the UK in 1944, Ann Sidney took a hairdressing apprenticeship before deciding she’d rather try her hand at modelling. 

She had some success and was crowned Miss World in 1964, becoming the second woman from her country to be crowned after Rosemarie Frankland.

Her reign as Miss World allowed her to see much of the world, and Ann travelled around the globe five times during her tenure – joining Bob Hope on his USO tour of Asia.

After giving up the title, Ann enjoyed a successful acting career.

Her credits included roles on the TV show The Avengers and Are You Being Served? among others.

She also appeared in a number of films, including (but not limited to) spy thriller Sebastian, and Performance (1970) with James Fox and Mick Jagger.

Reita Faria

Born in India in 1943, Reita Faria scooped the Miss World title in 1966, before her career took a major turn.

Reita is well-known for being the first winner of Miss World to qualify as a medical doctor.

As a tall adolescent, Reita was mocked and called ‘mommy long legs’, however, her height would go on to serve her well, both in playing sport at school and in her pageant career. 

Despite being offered a range of acting roles and lucrative modelling contracts during her year-long tenure a Miss World, she turned them down.

Instead, Reita studied medicine at the Grant Medical College & Sir J. J. Group of Hospitals followed by King’s College Hospital, London.

In 1971, she wed her mentor David Powell, with the couple moving to Dublin in 1973, where she started practising medicine.

Marjorie Wallace

After being crowned in 1973, US winner Majorie Wallace, born in 1954, made history as the first American woman to be crowned Miss World.

While in the UK in the early 70s to compete for the crown, she defeated 53 competitors at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

And she enjoyed dating some of the most prolific celebrities, including George Best and Tom Jones

She would go on to make history 104 days later, but this time, for a more negative reason.

Organisers decided to take away her crown as punishment for having an affair, making her the first winner to lose her title this way, just 104 days after acquiring it. 

However, it did not stop the beauty pageant entrant, who was born in Indianapolis, from enjoying a career in entertainment.

As an original co-host, Majorie helped launch the television programme Entertainment Tonight some years later.

Moving to LA in the 70s, Marjorie appeared on several television programmes including Baretta, Get Christie Love! and Match Game. 

Helen Elizabeth Morgan 

The next winner, Brit Helen Morgan who was born in 1952 and was crowned in 1974, also made history, but for a different reason.

Helen became the first winner to resign, making her the second winner (after Marjorie, just one year before) to cut her reign short. 

The Staffordshire-based banker, who entered modelling competitions on a part-time basis, scooped both Miss Wales and Miss United Kingdom in 1974.

Her victory in Miss United Kingdom allowed Helen to enter Miss World, which she went on to win.

However, after only four days, she became the subject of lurid headlines when it was discovered that she was an unwed mother with a n 18-month-old son. 

Despite not breaking competition rules, pressure from organisers, who felt embarrassed, led her to give up the title.

Although she lost the Miss World title, as Miss Wales and Miss United Kingdom Helen decided to leave her role at the bank, taking up a career in modelling, TV and films instead.

Queen Camilla was among the mourners at King Constantine’s memorial in Windsor today, which was attended by members of the British and foreign Royal Families.

Today’s service at St George’s Chapel was held in honour of the King’s close friend and second cousin Constantine II, the former ruler and last king of Greece – who was also William’s godfather.

However, Prince William pulled out of the engagement citing ‘personal reasons’ leading to speculation that the Princess of Wales, who has been recovering from surgery is unwell, however the Palace has confirmed the Princess of Wales is not the reason for the Prince of Wales lack of attendance.

Both Kate Middleton and King Charles were absent from the event due to health reasons. 

Among the members of The Firm who have been photographed attending the event alongside the Queen are Prince Andrew with Sarah, Duchess of York.

They were joined by their daughters Princess Eugenie and Beatrice and her husband Mr. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. 

It is understood that the Duke of York was attending the service as a member of the British Royal Family and had been invited by the Greek Royal Family.

Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence are at the event, alongside her daughter and son-in-law Zara and Mike Tindall.

Other UK royals in attendance include the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Earl and Countess of St. Andrews, the Lady Helen Taylor, Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy, Mr. and Mrs. James Ogilvy, Ms Marina Ogilvy, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, and the Lady Sarah and Mr. Daniel Chatto.

The Windsor memorial has also been heavily attended by members of various foreign royal families, with King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain photographed at the event, alongside Former Spanish King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain.

They were joined by Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo, Infanta Cristina of Spain and Juan Valentin Urdangarin. 

Numerous members of the Greek Royal Family attended the service today, including Princess Olympia of Greece, Prince Achileas of Greece, and Princess Tatiana with Prince Nikolaos of Greece.

Princess Alexia of Greece and Mr. Carlos Morales Quintana were also in attendance, alongside Princess Nina of Greece and Denmark and Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark, and Princess Theodora of Greece.

Princess Benedikte of Denmark was among the royals from the Danish royals to attend. 

The attendees also included Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia and Princess Catherine of Serbia who were photographed as they made their way into the memorial.

Lady Gabriella Windsor has lost her husband – who passed away suddenly aged 45 – Buckingham Palace has announced. 

The late Queen’s cousin, 42, is the daughter of Prince Michael of Kent, and paid tribute to Thomas Kingston in a joint statement with his family, describing him as an ‘exceptional man who lit up the lives of all who knew him’.

Thomas was found dead at an address in Gloucestershire on Sunday evening and emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 6pm. 

His wife and family described his death as a ‘great shock’. An inquest will be held to establish the cause of death but there are no suspicious circumstances and no other parties involved.

The King and Queen sent their condolences to Lady Gabriella, who tied the knot with her late husband at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in 2019.

The wedding reception was held at Frogmore House, the former residence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Lady Gabriella wore a lace gown by Italian designer Luisa Beccaria. Embroidered with flowers and embellishments, layers of blush-coloured tulle and organdie created the body of the wedding gown under the lace, fanning out for a long train.

Known as Ella, the bride had a creamy ivory Ella rose in her bouquet alongside myrtle, a tradition in many royal bridal flower arrangements. The bridesmaids and pageboys wore outfits by the same designer.

Isabella and Maud Windsor – Lady Gabriella’s nieces – and the other bridesmaids wore cream dresses with blush underlays and sashes, with flower rings in their hair in a similar style to the bouquet. 

The young royal was born on April 23 1981. Her mother, Princess Michael, has made headlines over the years for her outspoken comments, being dubbed ‘Princess Pushy’ by the press.

Her parents married in 1978 and she has one older sibling, her brother Lord Frederick, known as Freddie, who hit the headlines after admitting to using drugs at university.

Lord Frederick married Peep Show actress Sophie Winkleman in 2009 and the pair have two children together.

Lady Gabriella studied at both Brown University in the US and the University of Oxford, with degrees in Comparative Literature and Social Anthropology.

She is a writer and contributing editor, working with The London Magazine amid other publications.

Not a ‘working royal’, she is also board director for the Playing for Change Foundation, a non-profit organisation aiming to improve education through music. 

Lady Gabriella has also dabbled in the arts herself, and in 2020 released two songs as a singer-songwriter – Out of Blue and Bam Bam to help raise money for charity.  

Prior to her husband, Lady Gabriella dated journalist Aatish Taseer, who previously wrote a tell-all Vanity Fair article which claimed they swam naked in the Buckingham Palace pool.

She had been dating Thomas for a number of years when he proposed while they were on the island of Sark in 2018.

Thomas was a director of Devonport Capital, which specialises in providing finance for companies in ‘frontier economies’.

The Bristol University graduate worked in Baghdad, Iraq, according to the Telegraph, working to procure the release of hostages after joining the Diplomatic Missions Unit of the Foreign Office.

His financial career credentials include roles at Voltan Capital Management and IDC Securities.

Thomas is a close friend of Pippa Middleton – the Duchess of Cambridge’s sister – with the pair seen out and about together on numerous occasions.

He attended her wedding to James Matthews in May 2017, accompanied by Lady Gabriella.

Since their marriage, Lady Gabriella and her husband were known to attend a myriad of events on the royal calendar, having made appearances at Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee two years ago as well as her funeral that same year.

In 2022, Lady Gabriella appeared to collapse as the late Queen’s coffin arrived at Westminster Hall, Hello reported.

She attended the intimate service with her parents and husband and was seen standing in line with other members of the Royal Family as Her Majesty’s coffin was brought inside.

Video shows a member of staff rushing over to assist and Mr Kingston turning around to help his wife.

Photos taken later in the service show Lady Gabriella missing from the line-up, although she was able to leave the Hall arm-in-arm with her husband. 

Despite her fainting, the service continued without further incident. 

She wasn’t seen again during the service, however she was later photographed leaving hand-in-hand with her husband Thomas. 

Lady Gabriella was known to have a close relationship with the monarch, who attended her wedding in 2019. 

At the time, a photograph of the bride leaning down to chat to Queen Elizabeth, who was beaming with joy, went viral on social media. 

In the summer, Lady Gabriella and Thomas were also spotted at the Royal Ascot with King Charles and Queen Camilla.

They were also seen at a Chanel exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum that same year. 

The King and Queen have sent their ‘most heartfelt thoughts and prayers’ to Lady Gabriella and Thomas’s family.

A statement on behalf of Lady Gabriella and Thomas’s family said: ‘It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the death of Thomas Kingston, our beloved husband, son and brother.

‘Tom was an exceptional man who lit up the lives of all who knew him. His death has come as a great shock to the whole family and we ask you to respect our privacy as we mourn his passing.’

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: ‘The King and the Queen have been informed of Thomas’s death and join Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and all those who knew him in grieving a much-loved member of the family.

‘In particular, Their Majesties send their most heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Gabriella and to all the Kingston family.’

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Lady Gabriella’s parents, both attended a memorial service at St George’s Chapel today for King Constantine of Greece. 

It’s understood that Prince William’s absence from the memorial today was not linked to Mr Kingston’s death. 

As Crown Prince Christian of Denmark celebrated his 18th birthday last year, a photo from the dazzling gala thrown to celebrate the occasion showed the royal alongside other heirs to European thrones in an exciting glimpse into the future of European monarchies.

But while young royals including Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands and Princess Elisabeth of Belgium are preparing to one day sit on the thrones of their respective countries, their younger siblings, also known as ‘spares’, will have a little more freedom in their future exploits.

Royal watchers will no-doubt be eager to see what this bright young generation of royals will do next as their older siblings are primed to become ruling monarchs.

With fantastic connections and incredible wealth at their disposal, Europe’s young royals can, in theory, do anything they want – however, having been raised within their respective monarchies, they will likely also possess a strong sense of duty to their countries.

Here, FEMAIL explores what might be in store for Europe’s young royals…

Infanta Sofia of Spain, 16 

Infanta Sofia is the younger sister of Princess Leonor of Spain; and the second daughter of Queen Letizia and King Felipe. 

She is currently following in her sister’s footsteps while carrying out her studies at the so-called ‘Hippie Hogwarts’ school – officially named UWC Atlantic College in the Welsh county, the Vale of Glamorgan.

The young royal commenced her studies at the picturesque international school in August last year, confirmed when the Spanish Palace released photos of her beaming on the campus.

Much like her sister, Sofia is likely also studying for the International Baccalaureate at the school.

However, despite remaining committed to her studies in Wales, Sofia is often pictured at important royal events back in Madrid with her sister and parents – perhaps a signal that she plans to maintain a role as a working royal once her studies are complete.

Sofia was by her sister Leonor’s side last November when the future Queen turned 18 and, as is tradition for the Spanish royal family, pledged allegiance to the nation’s flag.

Sofia’s dedication to duty was also reflected when an Italian pop star, of whom Sofia and Leonor are both fans, revealed the sisters cut a meeting with him short so that they could get back to work.

Speaking to Hola, Teo Bok said he met the royals after a concert in Madrid which they attended, but their conversation was cut short when Infanta Sofía announced they would soon have to leave. 

He claims she told him: ‘In half an hour, we will have to go. We would like to stay but we have work.’

Princess Alexia of the Netherlands, 18 

Princess Alexia of the Netherlands will likely never sit on the Dutch throne (unless her older sister Princess Amalia decides ruling is not for her) – but that hasn’t stopped her taking on a bigger royal role since she turned 18.

The royal, who is the spitting image of her mother, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, carried out her first solo engagement in September last year. 

She donned a gorgeous navy-blue dress with frilled detailing to christen the Vox Alexia, a ship by Dutch manufacture Van Oord, in Rotterdam.

The previous May, Alexia graduated from UWC Atlantic College in South Wales, with her parents travelling to the prestigious school to celebrate.

However, although Alexia remains committed to her royal duties, she’s also known as something of an environmentalist.

In 2021 when she was studying at ‘Hippie Hogwarts’, Alexia donned a high-vis jacket and attended a climate change protest in Llantwit Major.

Footage showed the young Royal on the climate march along with other pupils wearing yellow and orange vests and holding up signs.

Princess Alexia carried a banner showing the Earth in the seaside demo following the conclusion of COP26 in Glasgow.

She was at the end of the line, responding to chants of ‘What do we want?’ ‘Climate justice!’ and ‘When do we want it?’ ‘Now!’

A source said: ‘The college’s philosophy is strictly attached to social issues like climate change.

‘However, it has to be remarked that it is extremely unusual to see a royal family member take part in a demonstration so clearly designed to protest something rather than to promote something.’

So perhaps a future in climate conservation may be on the cards for the Netherlands’s ‘spare’… 

Princess Ariane of the Netherlands, 16

The youngest child of Queen Máxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands is 16-year-old Ariane.

Much like her older sisters, and other European royals, Ariane is currently studying at United World College – however in a break from her sisters, she chose to study at the Adriatic branch in Italy rather than Wales.

Instead, she follows in the footsteps of her father King Willem-Alexander who studied at the Adriatic College when he was younger.

The Dutch Palace announced last summer: ‘Her Royal Highness Princess Ariane of the Netherlands will continue her secondary education after the summer at the United World College Adriatic in Italy.

‘She will go there for her International Baccalaureate.’ 

At just 16-years-old, Ariane has a lower public profile than her adult sisters, so it is unclear which path she will choose to follow in later life.

Princess Isabella of Denmark, 16 

One could be forgiven for thinking Princess Isabella of Denmark is a queen-in-waiting following her regal appearances at royal events over the last year.

But in truth, she is the younger sister of heir apparent Crown Prince Christian of Denmark, so will never sit on the throne.

Isabella is the second child of newly-crowned King Frederik and Queen Mary, following Queen Margrethe’s shock abdication at the beginning of this year. 

Despite only being 16-years-old, Isabella certainly understands a thing or two about regality – something she demonstrated at her older brother’s 18th birthday last year.

Isabella made a glamorous appearance at Christiansborg Castle in a sapphire gown made by one of Kate and Meghan’s favourite designers, Safiyaa.

She accessorised with her mother Crown Princess Mary’s J.Furmani silver clutch and dazzling amethyst and diamond drop earrings. 

Princess Isabella’s dress was complemented by a pair of earrings from her mother’s personal collection.

They featured a briolette amethyst, suspended from a line of sparkling diamonds, making for a statement piece.

These earrings have been worn by Princess Mary since early 2006 and it is thought they were a gift to mark the birth of Prince Christian in late 2005.

Although Isabella still has a while to wait before reaching adulthood, she is likely to remain close with her family – although if her impressive style is anything to go by, she may yet become a budding fashionista.

Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine of Denmark, 13 

Crown Prince Christian’s youngest siblings are twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.

Following in their older siblings’ footsteps, the twins were educated at Tranegårdskolen in Hellerup – a state school, as were the wishes of their parents.

However when they reached secondary school age, Vincent remained at Tranegårdskolen and Isabella attended Kildegård Privatskole.

At just 13-years-old, it is currently unknown how the young royals’ futures will pan out, but at third and fourth in line to the throne, it’s very unlikely they will ever have to think about ruling.

When the twins were born in 2011, Professor of Danish history at Copenhagen University, Jes Fabricius Moller, told Adelaide Now that the twins would have ‘freedom to a much higher degree than their father.

He said: ‘They can have many different and unusual careers, but they cannot do anything considered immoral… because what they do in the public eye, will reflect back on the entire royal family.’

Prince Gabriel of Belgium, 20

Although he is second in line to the throne of Belgium, Prince Gabriel has kept a very low public profile so far in life.

In another life, he would have been heir to the throne over his older sister, Princess Elisabeth – however the Belgian Royal Family changed its primogeniture rules in 1991, meaning female heirs can ascend the throne before their younger brothers.

Prince Gabriel, currently enrolled at the Royal Military Academy of Belgium, appears to be a model student who is fluent in three languages, enjoys sports and plays his part for charity. 

Prince Gabriel spent his earlier years studying at St John Berchmans College in Brussels before finishing his secondary education at the International School of Brussels, an English-language private school.

During this time he lived at the Royal Palace of Laeken in Brussels, the main residence of the Belgian Royal Family.

From September 2021, Gabriel undertook a one-year preparatory A-level course in mathematics, further mathematics, and physics at the National Mathematics and Science College, in Warwickshire.

A year later, the Palace announced that Prince Gabriel would enrol at the Royal Military Academy of Belgium to study social and military sciences.

In September 2022, the Prince was presented with his blue beret after he successfully completed his military initiation phase under the name ‘Gabriël van Saksen-Coburg’.

During this year’s Belgian National Day, both Gabriel and Elisabeth joined their fellow Royal Military Academy students to parade through the streets of Belgium.

This is not the only royal engagement by the Prince who is fluent in Dutch, French and English – as he has joined his parents on a number of public engagements.

The 20-year-old also regularly volunteers in his home country. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Prince Gabriel had conversations over the phone with isolated elderly people in residential care centres.

He is an accomplished pianist and sportsman with interests in hockey, sailing, skiing, cycling, tennis and sailing.

Although Gabriel has many talents that may guide him in his future, the royal’s commitment to attending public engagements with his family suggests he may lean towards being a working royal. 

Prince Emmanuel, 18, and Princess Eleonore of Belgium, 15

The youngest siblings in the Belgian Royal Family are Emmanuel and Eleonore. 

Although they are still young, the brother and sister have previously revealed their musical talents to the world.

They appeared in a Christmas concert in 2020, which was broadcast to the nation amid strict coronavirus restrictions.

During the concert Eleonore, who was just 12-years-old at the time, played the violin, while Emmanuel showed off his skills on the saxophone.

It is thought that, outside of schooling and music, Eleonore cycles, swims and sails. Emmanuel enjoys the same sports and is also fluent in French, Dutch and English.

Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway, 18

The third-in-line to the Norwegian throne, Prince Sverre Magnus is the younger brother of Princess Ingrid Alexandra and youngest son of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit.

He is already enjoying the freedom that comes with being a more junior royal, which can be determined from his cheeky displays during appearances with his family.

The young prince sent royal fans into a frenzy when he ‘dabbed’ on the balcony of the Royal Palace during a celebratory event for King Harald and Queen Sonja.

Luckily his cousin, 12-year-old Leah Isadora Behn, was on hand to give him a sharp nudge in the side. 

He currently attends the same school his older sister went to, CCC where his studies focus on Information Technology and Media Production – suggesting a career in media or tech may be on the horizon for him.

However royal fans will surely hope that, wherever his career takes him, the Prince will continue to steal the show on the Palace balcony. 

 

  

The Queen has praised cancer specialists for their efforts during her husband’s battle with the disease – while universities and colleges were today honored with a prestigious award at Buckingham Palace.

Camilla, 76, and the Duchess of Gloucester, 77, hosted the Queen Jubilee Awards for Higher and Further Education, the day after the King, 75, was pictured meeting the Prime Minister in person.

Learning centers from across Britain were recognized with awards, including the Institute of Cancer Research in London for its pioneering work in breast cancer. Camilla thanked the winning team and said: ‘What would we do without you?’

The Queen wore an elegant green dress for the awards ceremony in the British capital, which is held every two years. In 2020, the Royal Family supported the King and then the Prince of Wales on this occasion.

But this time the Queen led the show, with the Duchess of Gloucester, dressed in a sophisticated blue ensemble, by her side.

It comes after the King met Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in person at Buckingham Palace yesterday for the first time since the monarch’s cancer diagnosis.

Charles revealed he has been reduced to tears by the messages and cards of support he has received since his cancer diagnosis, with Mr Sunak telling him that ‘the country is behind you’.

After the awards ceremony, the Queen was affectionately dubbed a ‘local girl’ by Plumpton College, a wine industry training institute that has a long association with Camilla, who grew up nearby in Sussex.

Her father, Major Bruce Shand, was a wine merchant and passed on his love of the grape to his daughter, who is known to prefer a glass of red.

They lived in the village of Plumpton and Camilla attended school in nearby Ditchling.

Jeremy Kerswell, principal and CEO of Plumpton College, received a Queen’s Anniversary Prize on behalf of his institution which has trained many of the country’s wine industry experts for decades.

He said: “It means so much, our award was in recognition of all the work the college has done over the years which has influenced the growth and success of the wine industry.

‘When I came on stage she said, ‘I’m so happy to see Plumpton here’, and she talked about wanting to come and visit the college and made it clear: ‘Your wine is very good too, isn’t it?’ It?’

“She is also the patron of our charity because she is a local girl: the Plumpton College Charitable Foundation.

“It’s our centenary in two years, so I just said, ‘Why don’t you come over next year and bring your husband for our centenary?’ and she said, ‘I’ll definitely go back to the diary.’

The awards recognize excellence, innovation and clearly proven benefits for education, the economy and the wider world. This year’s winners ranged from the University of Glasgow’s Center for Robert Burns Studies to the world-class aerospace engineering program at Loughborough College.

This year’s winners will each nominate two colleagues to join a working group charged with tackling the ‘Coronation Challenge’, a year-long initiative focused on using emerging technologies and the creative industries to to ‘turbocharge’ innovation.

The group’s recommendations will be sent to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and it is hoped the government of the day will implement them.

There will be the traditional avalanche of Valentine's Day gifts today.

But few – if any – can match the extraordinary heart-shaped jewels that the British and European royal families have at their disposal, as these photos show…

The Amethyst Heart Necklace of the Queen Mother

If February was the martyrdom and death of Valentine in 269 AD. marks, it is also the month of the amethyst.

And what better amethyst to show off than an amethyst once given by a queen and empress – in the shape of a heart?

In January 1923, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon finally accepted the marriage proposal of Prince Albert, Duke of York, and not long after was invited to Sandringham to meet her future family – including her grandmother, Queen Alexandra.

Alexandra, wife of Edward VII, was sufficiently impressed to give the future royal bride an exquisite 'sautoir' necklace of amethysts, diamonds and seed pearls with a large amethyst heart in the centre.

Elizabeth would have worn the necklace low, but unfortunately this style did not last long.

Nowadays, the necklace is often worn wide over the neck and shoulders by Queen Camilla

Cullinan V

My number one royal heart has to be the Cullinan V: the 18.8 carat heart shape, cut from the largest diamond ever found.

It was given to Queen Mary by the people of South Africa in 1911 and subsequently became part of the Royal Collection.

It was made as a brooch, sitting in a diamond scroll and leaf-shaped setting, to be worn by Queen Mary at various other parts of the Cullinan (which has been split into numerous parts) at the Delhi Durbar in 1911.

Queen Elizabeth II often wore the elegant brooch, including in the photo on the occasion of Prince Philip's 99th birthday in June 2020.

However, it was brought back to the forefront of Royal Jewels last year when it was transferred to Queen Mary's Crown, which was used to crown Camilla as Queen Consort.

Never has a heart been more royal.

Baden Palmette Tiara

Have you ever seen a more Valentine's Day tiara than this one, recently bequeathed to Mary, Queen Consort of Denmark by her mother-in-law, Queen Emeritus Margrethe?

The tiara is made of heart shapes and was made in 1856 as a wedding gift for the future Grand Duchess of Baden, Princess Louise of Prussia.

She left it to her daughter, Queen Victoria of Sweden, who in turn left it to Princess Ingrid, who became the Queen of Sweden and mother of Queen Margrethe.

Margrethe, who surprisingly abdicated the throne last month, was last seen wearing the tiara during King Carl of Sweden's 70th birthday in 2016.

Princess of Wales's diamond heart necklace

To celebrate the birth of his first child and heir in June 1982, William – then Prince of Wales – gave his wife Catherine a diamond necklace set with a yellow diamond heart.

It had once belonged to his mother, Princess Diana.

Diana wore this on a number of occasions, most notably for Prince William's official portraits and for his 1982 christening in the White Drawing Room of Buckingham Palace.

She also wore it to Princess Grace's funeral and to a charity concert in Wales, both that same year.

Luisa heart necklace

Kate wore this fashionable 14k gold chain with a chunky gold heart pendant when she and William visited BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat to mark World Mental Health Day in October 2022.

The engagement came just a month after the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

They both spoke about their experiences and what they had learned from their time as patrons of mental health charities.

The pendant was designed by New York designer Laura Lombardi.

Lauren Leaf Pave diamond earrings

The Princess of Wales is said to own 21 pairs of Kiki McDonough earrings, including these made in heart-shaped leaves.

The pattern is not strictly a heart, but is more often than not confused as one, or even two.

This Leaf Pavé diamond earring model, named Lauren (because it was inspired by prima ballerina Lauren Cuthbertson), has been hung on Kate's ears many times over the past decade.

Meghan Markle signature sapphire heart ring

In 2019, the Duchess of Sussex was still at the heart of the royal family.

Her visit to see friend Serena Williams play in the second round of Wimbledon attracted a lot of attention.

Court One saw Meghan wearing a 0.94 carat sapphire heart ring on her 'pinky' finger.

The ring is rendered in a rare Georgian foreshortened setting by brilliant New Zealand-born jeweler Jessica McCormack.

Such settings were originally used to disguise any irregularities in the shape of a diamond or other gemstone (when the method of cutting them was much less precise than it is today).

McCormack has just opened a new store on Sloane Street in London